Toad Houses

miinva 1/31/2011, 10:36 pm

Another thread mentioned toad houses and I thought, "That needs its own discussion!". Sharon Lovejoy mentions them in Toad Cottages and Shooting Stars. I wonder if there's a way to cut a doorway into the pot, although in her book she says you can just prop one side up. I had a toad living in my pea shoot bed Smile

I'm going to put up a nice house for him this year.

FarmerValerie 1/31/2011, 10:53 pm

I've seen them all over the place, like Garden's Alive online, and even locally, but all were at least $15 to $20. I just took an old pot and broke a hole in it. I keep a rock on top of it covering the drain hole. I do like the option of propping it up for plastic pots. Click on the picture to make it bigger.
Toad Houses Img_0510

miinva 1/31/2011, 11:08 pm

I'm going to get some paint and make some pretty toad houses! Very Happy

FarmerValerie 1/31/2011, 11:17 pm

That was my intention last year, I even have bug stamps to paint with. I was hoping to find a suitable gourd and make some that way.

ander217 2/1/2011, 10:30 am

My garden toad was very happy living in the vole holes. Unfortunately he had no shortage of housing. I hope he becomes homeless this year and in need of some of your ideas. Smile

quiltbea 2/1/2011, 11:25 am

I don't use broken clay pots, just ones I have around.

Lay them on their side in the shade of a bush or large plant (I like hostas and bleeding hearts) , bury them an inch or so in the ground (leaving the bottom hole above ground), add some grass and leaves inside and you've got a comfy toadhouse.

They get cross-ventilation from the bottom's hole across to the opening as it lays on its side.

In a veggie garden the pot can go under the cabbage leaves or among the cucumber or squash vines for the season.

Then you have the company of darling little toads while you putter in your garden.

miinva 2/1/2011, 12:33 pm

That's a wonderful idea! No risk of the pot falling on the toad that way. I know I'm a worry wart, but I was concerned about that.

nancy 2/1/2011, 12:44 pm

Quiltbea - that's what I have, too. It's under the peony. I don't think anyone actually lives there, tho'. It's where I release the frogs in the spring.

middlemamma 2/1/2011, 3:52 pm

I received the following email from Sharon Lovejoy this morning via the forum. I just thought I would post it.

Hi, I've been reading the comments about my mention of toad housing in my book Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars.
I do let the kids paint them with acrylics, it makes them feel more invested in the welfare of the toads.

I have broken or cut holes in the rim of pots to allow the toads entry, but it needs to be big enough for the toad. They're big guys. Also, I don't lay the pots on their sides for the toads because I've seen raccoons reaching into those and feeling around for supper.

All gardening joys,

Sharon Lovejoy
Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

miinva 2/1/2011, 8:42 pm

Wow!

How awesome is it that she read our comments? I really appreciate her taking the time to respond. Her books are joyous and inspirational. I hadn't considered that raccoons would want to eat toads.

martha 2/2/2011, 5:12 pm

I go away for a few months, come back and immediately pick up great ideas! Toad houses for me this year!

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